Authorities have formally charged 20-year-old Marquise Walker with theft by taking after investigators determined he stole a necklace from the body of Xavion Wimberly, a 23-year-old hit-and-run victim who was left dying on a Deans Bridge Road sidewalk in late May.
The charge comes after Wimberly’s father positively identified the necklace as belonging to his son. The new charge marks a grim new chapter in a case that has shocked the Augusta community and gained widespread attention for its disturbing details.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the theft occurred on May 25, shortly after Wimberly was struck by a vehicle near the Suz Lounge. As the young man lay dying from his injuries, investigators believe Walker approached and removed the necklace from his neck. The crime was not only a theft but a cruel violation of a man in his final moments, authorities said.
Walker was arrested Tuesday as part of a broader investigation into drugs, firearms, and stolen property found during a raid at a home on Brookshire Drive in Augusta. During that operation, deputies recovered 22 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of marijuana, three firearms, and a stolen Can-Am Spyder motorcycle. Seven individuals were taken into custody, including Walker.
It was during this raid that officers discovered Walker wearing a necklace that matched the description of one missing from Wimberly. The victim’s father, Xavier Wimberly, was asked to assist in confirming the necklace’s identity.
Walker initially told investigators he had found the necklace near the scene of the hit-and-run. However, after further investigation, authorities concluded there was sufficient evidence to charge him with theft by taking.
Wimberly, remembered by his family as a joyful and deeply spiritual man, was robbed in broad daylight during his final moments—a detail that prompted public outrage and sparked an intense investigation.
In addition to the theft charge, Walker and five other male suspects from the Brookshire raid face drug and firearm-related offenses.
The Richmond County and Burke County Sheriff’s Offices have credited their joint investigation with helping bring clarity and accountability to this case. “This is about justice for Xavion,” said Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard. “And we’re not done yet.”
A $7,500 reward remains available for information leading to additional arrests in connection to the robbery of Xavion Wimberly. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
